COMMUNICATION ISSUES

Hi Angel, there are many inexpensive handcrank/solar/battery radios that
will provide you with information even if the the power and phone are
out.

AM/FM, also shortwave (more expensive). In addition, we are connecting
to a trusted neighbor with a 12 mile radius walkie talkie. Take a look at
some of your options...our company and our personal concern
http://www.homeemergencyusa.com/Radios-and-
Flashlights_1_category.html    (copy & paste)

Please don't flame me, this is not an advertisement. We had provided
information about homeemergencyusa.com in the forum where you could
find commecial site information. That seems to have disappeared.

We want to help our forum friends any way we can. We provide very
personal service (family company) and we have the stock. No run-
arounds or delays.

Hope this is helpful. Rocky

Angel wrote: <FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=3>I wonder how people will know when it is safe to go out if there is no telephone service or electricity?  I live out in the country and I don't have any close neighbors.

   

Yes, that's a really good point, I would think that we'd have phone service for a while. I hope so, I am also hoping for Internet to stay on for awhile to, we have cable, our daughters have Sat.  So I hope at least to be able to communicate

simple,question here, and i don't have time to go thru all the excellent posts right now

Bumpman wrote: Has anybody discussed how to make communications SECURE yet?  If the world really gets unsafe, the last thing I need is for the rest of the world to listen in while I talk to others.

Go to  http://www.zerobeat.net/qrp/qsignals.html for a comprehensive list of Q signals

justme wrote: Hand Crank cell phone charger (for obvious reasons) Just google it. :) You can get one for about $20 USD. Here is one site that sells it http://www.soscharger.net/ (I have not purchased from them so I can not endorse this company, I am simply giving an example)

just a quick update on my research and experiences

The people who run this board might want to query all the members to find out who is a HAM.  HAMs have experience organizing communications such as weather nets when sever weather is coming upon a county.  HAM radios can also transmit packets.  In other words, they can become a wireless network.  I would suggest that HAMs form a group and start practicing relaying communications via this group.

Spoon wrote: CB radios are a great way to communicate when everything else fails.  A standard CB signal only travels about 4-8 miles, but mods can be made. A friend of mine, who turned me on to this site, has done some research regarding converting base stations.  He found ways to enhance the signal across multiple states. It's not cheap ($500-$700), but it might be a great way to continue this forum. I, or my friend, will post more detailed info soon for anyone interested.

Please, do NOT do this!  I'm an air traffic controller and we currently get CB interference from an illegal CB transmitter on one of our ATC frequencies.  Apparently, the CB frequency is something like the 5th harmonic of our ATC frequency and it interferes with our ability to talk to airplanes at times.

The FCC has a REASON for the rules they post.

*** CAUTION ***
Communications in a pandemic (declared disaster) may not work as expected-

Internet access: may not be working after 3-4 days (saturated, maintenance issues at ISPs, capacity commandeered!)

GMRS/FRS Walkie Talkies: 2-3 mile range (need batteries) - need to work out a link to ham radio RACES operator in advance. Best for neighborhood use/support. GMRS radios require FCC license ($80, no exam). FRS does not seem to need license, but has reduced power (range). GMRS would probably have to be operated on low power, anyway, to conserve batteries.

Telephone: lines probably not available (much capacity commandeered!) May offer spotty service at best.

Cell Phones: failed quickly in 9/11 disaster (after 15 - 30 minutes!) Local "gummint" has the switch, too. Consider it commandeered!

Text Messaging: was partially effective in Katrina disaster, uncertain status in pandemic situation.

Ham radio: may well be limited to RACES operators by law, but probably working to some extent, may also be limited by such law to emergency traffic only. Possible availability for welfare traffic (family member status, etc.).

My recommendations:
(1) Take CERT training (posted this elsewhere, also).
(2) Form a CERT team in your neighborhood.
(3) Get FRS/GMRS radios - buy and learn to use them with your neighbors.
(4) Locate ham radio RACES operator (only for emergencies) He/she can listen on your FRS/GMRS frequencies but cannot speak on them legally. However, he/she may have licensed FRS/GMRS radio, also. Many do.
(5) Practice communicating with your ham operator. He/she may have a path to local Emergency Services (police, fire, medical, etc.).
(6) Work out contact schedules ("skeds") to conserve batteries and time.
(7) Be sure you have enough batteries.